The Public Perception of Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande kicked off her Eternal Sunshine tour, but her new album release and performances weren't the star of the show. On social media like TikTok, people began discussing recent photos of her appearance. At the last leg of her tour, the conversation about pop star Ariana Grande has now solely centered on her health. 

Currently, Grande is under public scrutiny for what social media users view as unhealthy body checking or “any behavior used to seek information about one’s appearance, such as size, shape, or weight” (Aster Springs, 2025). For these fans and internet users, this behavior is harmful to her young audience, who could be easily influenced or trigger an emotional reaction. 

For Ariana Grande, however, the answer is unclear. Her personal response has not been revealed. She has not explicitly shared her opinion about her body with the public. One thing is evident, though: her appearance is now a controversy. As a consequence, comments under Ariana Grande's posts and personal opinions have shifted to make remarks about her. ​

“I don’t think we’ve ever seen the true her,” alongside 15.5k likes, is one of thousands of comments on social media. But are fans entitled to knowing the “true her”? This comment exemplifies the definition of parasocial relationships: a one-sided relationship between an individual and a media personality/celebrity. This individual generally develops a sense of connection, intimacy, or familiarity with the figure they admire.

Although Ariana Grande’s online community has shifted toward urgency and worry, this still mirrors the concept of parasocial relationships. Many identify this psychological concept as a connection similar to a crush or friend. Yet this worry is a textbook example of how parasocial relationships can spiral into a sense of familiarity with Ariana Grande’s persona and her audience.

As people continue to perceive Ariana Grande with titles like “I’m worried for her” or “she is not healthy”, many will associate unofficial headings with real feelings of anxiety and personal frustration with her living habits. As a result, many people online feel the need to comment on her appearance or post personal insights about someone they do not know. This confidence to post their “hot takes” may mirror the Online Disinhibition Effect–the psychological distance between social media users and consequences for their behavior. It is possible that, because people’s behavior and identities are hidden behind a screen and their profiles, they are more inclined to engage in harmful online behavior due to anonymity. If Ariana Grande were to be in front of their faces, they may be less likely to share their opinion of Ariana Grande to her face.

​Ariana Grande is and will be an existing example of public scrutiny as a result of parasocial relationships and online disinhibition. While she may have changed, mentally or physically, that information is her information. For online users, whether supportive or not, it must be made clear that their behavior is as harmful as their claims towards Ariana Grande.